Blind man kindapped, robbed in New Bedford

NEW BEDFORD — A legally blind man was robbed after a group of young men pushed him into a car and held a screwdriver to his neck, police reported.

The 46-year-old victim told police he was walking from the Portuguese Consulate on Pleasant Street just before 12:30 p.m. Tuesday when he was stopped by four young men on the street.

The victim, who is legally blind but still has some vision in both eyes, said one suspect put a screwdriver into his back and forced him into a four-door gray sedan, according to New Bedford police spokesman Lt. Jeffrey P. Silva.

The victim said the suspects drove around the city with one man pointing the screwdriver to his neck. Meanwhile, the man said another suspect stole an undisclosed amount of cash while they were driving, Lt. Silva said.

The victim said the suspects eventually pushed him outside the car at the intersection of Union Street and Rockdale Avenue. The vehicle was not moving when the victim was shoved outside, police said.

Despite his ordeal, the man was not hurt. He contacted police hours after the alleged incident.

Though legally blind, the victim said he could identify the suspects if he saw them, Lt. Silva said.